Check 3d Models for Errors before 3d Printing in 3ds Max

In this tutorial I will be showing you how to check your 3d models for errors before sending them for 3d printing job or Stereolithography. If you are going to print a 3d model for the first time then you should know few things before proceeding to the next step.

3d models, especially highly dense meshes, seem visually correct but they may contain errors that can cause problems so; It’s very important to do a quick check before 3d printing rather than encountering the errors in the final print itself then jump back into the 3d software to correct the errors.

What is Stereolithography or 3d Printing?

Stereolithography is a process of creating physical three dimensional objects with the help of 3d printing device and 3d CAD data as the input.

In this process, a 3d printing device or the 3d printer carves a selected material layer by layer with the help of laser beams to create a final 3d printed piece.

The STL Check Modifier

There is a modifier in the modifier list called STL check which is designed to check if the selected 3d model is ready to be exported as STL file format.

To check your model for errors, first select it; then go to Modify Panel and apply STL Check modifier from the modifier list. Under STL Check modifier’s Parameters rollout you can select the errors given inside the Errors group.

Open Edge
It checks for the open edges in the mesh.

Double faces
It detects the faces sharing the same 3d space in the mesh.

Spike
It searches for the spikes or isolated faces in the mesh.

Multiple Edges
It detects the faces that share more than one edge with each other.

STL Check modifier’s other Options

Under the Selections group you can select the edges or faces around the defected area of the mesh using Select Edges / Faces option.Don’t Select option lets the error point unselected.

Change Mat-ID
You can assign a unique material id to the faces involve in the error using this option.
Enable the Check option to let the modifier search for the errors. All the detected errors can be seen in the Status group.